It was the right thing to do. I would've loved to play in the Olympics again, but I believe it's time for me to step aside. It's time to let other guys play. |
It's obvious that finishing first doesn't guarantee anything. I don't think where you finished in the standings is tremendously important in the playoffs. |
It's too bad that decision had to be made ... I always thought he would retire a Red Wing. I think we will be seeing more of this kind of movement now with the salary-cap system. |
It's worked out well. We've been together for a while and played effectively. |
Just knowing that I'm walking in there, not because of what I've done in the past but because they want me to be a part of it. Hearing that, I'm happy to be back. |
Now the puck goes from the goal line to the far blue line just like that. |
Obviously there was concern. You fear for the guy's life. |
One of the advantages, one of the special things, about playing in Detroit or Montreal is guys like Gordie Howe walk in the room. I didn't know he was here tonight, it was kind of a coincidence to get that assist on a night that he's here. |
Our team's goal is always to win the Stanley Cup. |
Our team's goal is always to win the Stanley Cup. I don't want to get too carried away with this regular-season success because we've had playoff disappointments the last few years, and I don't forget those. I do think it's overlooked how good a job this organization does finding players, drafting players. That's been the illusion, that we just go out and buy a team. |
Personally, I'd prefer to continue playing the overtime after tie games. |
Regardless of how the game is played, there will be low-scoring games, and good teams have to win 1-0 or 2-1 (in the playoffs). |
Some of the best young players in the game are Canadian, ... I don't care how many years you have played and how much success you have had. This is the only year that matters. ... To me, I have to earn the place. |
That was kind of the goal and that comes pretty quickly. Things go pretty quick and you're there. Before you know it, you're 35 and you want to continue playing. |
The best thing for everybody is that we go home and analyze as an organization what happened, where we went wrong and what needs to be done for the future. I'd like to leave my personal situation for a few days, and next week I can probably make a decision on what I'm going to do. |